By the end of the year 1864, Wilmington was the South’s last open seaport on the Atlantic coast and was protected by Fort Fisher in North Carolina. On December 24 the Union Navy and Army made a combined assault on Fort Fisher, but were turned back after two days of fighting. The combined force returned on January 12, 1865, and engaged the fort in three days of combat from sea and land. The campaign culminated in a six-hour battle on January 15 during which at least 30 men earned Medals of Honor and the important fort was captured. Colonel Galusha Pennypacker gallantly led his men in the charge over the traverse, where he planted he colors of one of his regiments, though he was severely wounded in this battle.

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